Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared that the recent killings in the state are not only sponsored but also act of genocide in nature.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that over 50 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in recent weeks across the North-Central state.
The assailants targeted multiple communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area, causing widespread displacement and destruction.
These attacks are part of a disturbing pattern in Plateau State, which has previously experienced similar instances of violence. While some have attributed the conflict to the competition for resources between farmers and herders, the governor contends that the current situation extends beyond mere resource disputes and is akin to acts of terrorism.
In recent years, various human rights organizations and local stakeholders have raised alarms about what they describe as acts of genocide occurring in Plateau State. These allegations arise from repeated attacks on communities, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction of properties. Reports indicate that entire villages have been devastated, with many residents either killed or forced to flee to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where living conditions are dire.
A notable incident that intensified these allegations occurred in June 2022 when a violent attack on communities in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area led to the deaths of over 20 individuals, exacerbating tensions already prevalent in the region. Such incidents have often been characterized by brutal killings, including women and children, and systematic targeting of specific ethnic groups, fueling claims of genocidal intent.
Expressing his outrage over the killings, Mutfwang linked the violent attacks to unnamed terrorist groups, stating, “the assault in Plateau State was being sponsored and targeted at wiping off communities in the state.” He further asserted, “I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists.”
He raised critical questions about the identity of those financing and organizing these acts of terrorism: “The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.”
Mutfwang stressed the necessity of identifying the sponsors behind the violence in Plateau State, stating, “We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere, and I am sure that in the coming days, the security agencies will work together – not at cross purposes but in unison – to be able to bring out the requisite intelligence that will help us to put this matter behind us.”
Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s central region, has been grappling with a series of security challenges, including alleged genocide and widespread violence. These issues have roots in longstanding ethnic, religious, and land disputes, which have led to conflicts primarily between the indigenous Berom people and the Fulani herdsmen, among other groups.
Underlying Factors of Insecurity
The insecurity in Plateau State is driven by a combination of factors:
Ethnic and Religious Tensions: The state is home to a mix of diverse ethnic groups, predominantly the indigenous Berom, Ngas, and others, alongside various Fulani herders. Historical grievances relating to land ownership, resource control, and religious differences between predominantly Christian farmers and Muslim herders have intensified conflicts.
Land Access and Resource Competition: As desertification and climate change impact grazing lands, Fulani herders have increasingly encroached upon farmlands owned by local communities, leading to violent confrontations. The struggle for limited resources has been exacerbated by rapid population growth.
Weak Law Enforcement: The ability of state security forces to contain violence has been called into question, with many citizens feeling that the government has failed to adequately protect them from attacks. Allegations of partiality or ineffective responses from law enforcement further fuel distrust among communities.
Political Manipulation: Some observers argue that political interests have played a role in exacerbating tensions by exploiting ethnic or religious divisions for electoral gain. This manipulation undermines efforts to foster peaceful coexistence among communities.
Humanitarian Crisis
The violence has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Plateau State. Many people have been displaced from their homes, and access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and food security, has been severely compromised. IDP camps face overcrowding and insufficient resources, leading to increased vulnerability among displaced populations.
Efforts to address the crisis have included calls for greater government intervention, enhanced security measures, and the promotion of dialogue among conflicting parties. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international bodies have also urged the Nigerian government to take concrete actions to protect vulnerable communities, promote reconciliation, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence.